Team 18, in partnership with Chevrolet Racing, is proud to announce a landmark two-year deal with Australian motorsport icon Craig Lowndes and leading automotive retailer Supercheap Auto to lead a wildcard entry at the Supercars endurance races from 2026.

The announcement was made at a Supercheap Auto store with a photo opportunity featuring Lowndes alongside Team 18 Owner Charlie Schwerkolt, Supercheap Auto General Manager – Marketing & E-Commerce Andre Korte, and Chevrolet Racing General Manager Chris Payne.

Lowndes, one of the most experienced driver in Supercars history with over 300 event starts, is a three-time Supercars Champion and seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner. He remains deeply involved in the sport through his Supercars broadcast work and ambassador roles with Chevrolet Racing and ACDelco.

The wildcard entry will continue as a Chevrolet Camaro and will be fielded by Mount Waverley-based Team 18 as a satellite program alongside its two main game entries. This year the squad has scored one pole position for David Reynolds and two podium finishes for Anton De Pasquale.

As the newly appointed Chevrolet Racing homologation partner, Team 18 will lead the next chapter of the Team Chevy alliance in Supercars.

Supercheap Auto has been a cornerstone of Australian motorsport since 2000 and served as naming rights sponsor of the Bathurst 1000 from 2005–2020.

Since 2021, the Supercheap Auto wildcard program has become a hallmark of the Supercars enduro season, showcasing emerging talent such as Broc Feeney, Declan Fraser, Zane Goddard, Cooper Murray, and now reigning Super2 Series Champion Zach Bates. The program will once again look to select a young rookie driver to join Lowndes.

Details including the co-driver, race number, and personnel for the entry will be revealed next year.

QUOTES

Charlie Schwerkolt, Team 18 Owner

“It’s an incredible honour to welcome Craig Lowndes and Supercheap Auto to Team 18.

“To go from starting as a single-car customer entry in 2013, to building a team from the ground up, to now running a wildcard for one of the most legendary names in Supercars, it’s a proud moment for every person in our organisation.

“We’ll be throwing everything at this program to ensure it’s competitive from day one. The standard set by Triple Eight with this wildcard over the past few years has been exceptional, and we’re committed to carrying that legacy forward.

“What makes this program so special is not just having Craig behind the wheel, but the opportunity it creates to develop the next generation of Supercars stars. We’ve seen the wildcard pathway bring names like Broc Feeney and Cooper Murray into the spotlight, and we’re excited to play a part in unearthing the sport’s future talent.

“Our next step is to identify a rising star to pair with Craig, assemble the right crew, and build a program that can challenge at Bathurst and The Bend.

“As for the race number? That’s still up for discussion, but we’ve got a few iconic and creative options in the mix.”

“Supercheap Auto are leaders in community engagement and hosting incredible fan events. We’re proud to partner with them to bring fans closer to the action.”

“Huge thanks to Chevrolet Racing and Supercheap Auto for backing this program and selecting Team 18 to host it moving forwards. We’re excited to take fans on the journey with us as this program comes to life.”

Craig Lowndes, 2026 Supercheap Auto Wildcard Driver

“It’s an exciting time ahead.

“The Supercheap Auto Wildcard program has grown from strength to strength during my time at Triple Eight. The young kids now look to it as a strong pathway to a future in the sport, we have seen that with previous years and team mates. To be continuing the program for the next 2 years with Team 18 and GM is a great thing.

“Joining Team 18 was the right move for me being the new homologation team and my strong relationship with GM. It’s going to be a big change – joining a new Team after so many years, but there are a lot of familiar faces in there. As well as seeing what Team 18 and Charlie have built in their workshop, it’s first class.

“Supercheap Auto have very much shown their commitment to the program and moving forward. So I am excited to continue to work alongside them, GM and now Team 18 to help continue and develop young drivers in their path in motorsport.

Andre Korte, Supercheap Auto General Manager – Marketing & E-Commerce

“We’re incredibly proud of the Supercheap Auto Wildcard program, which continues to provide a platform for emerging talent to compete against the very best in Supercars.

“As we head into our sixth year, 2026 marks an exciting new chapter as we partner with Team18. Led once again by Supercars legend Craig Lowndes, we’re thrilled to continue this program and can’t wait to hit the track during the 2026 Enduro season.”

Chris Payne, Chevrolet Racing General Manager

“Chevrolet Racing is proud of our ongoing involvement in what is now widely considered the benchmark program for young driver development in Supercars. This is a testament to the legacy of the program built over the last five years by Triple Eight and Supercheap Auto, which is widely considered a first class example in Australian motorsport for the recognition and development of future talent.”

“As a long term ambassador for GM and Chevrolet Racing, it’s fantastic to have Craig Lowndes continue to lead the program into this new era.”

“The selection of Team 18 to run the wildcard further reinforces their appointment as GM’s homologation partner, and we look forward to continuing this journey with them and Supercheap Auto.

“GM has a strong relationship with Supercheap Auto both on and off the track, where our all makes ACDelco products are on sale in store and online.”